The researchers indicated that health-system specialty pharmacies (HSSPs) are essential in managing specialty medications (SRx) and coordinating care. Specialty pharmacists (SPs) effectively assess, manage, and address SRx complexities and costs. HSSPs capture clinical interventions to demonstrate SPs’ value and meet accreditation standards. SP interventions improve biologic adherence, reduce unnecessary healthcare utilization in HIV therapy, and support medication access, enhancing patient outcomes and saving costs in various specialties. However, more understanding is needed across all specialties to optimize HSSP services and identify proactive SP actions.
Between April 15, 2024, and May 15, 2024, researchers conducted this prospective descriptive study known as the quality improvement project. The project assessed clinical interventions by SPs for patients prescribed at least one SRx at a CHRISTUS clinic.
A questionnaire for SPs was implemented into their workflow to gather these interventions. The primary endpoints utilized descriptive statistics to assess the type and time spent, classifying by specialty and enrollment status with the HSSP, and cost savings were computed based on standardized values per intervention type.
A total of 227 interventions were recorded across 11 specialties and 22 types, with the most common intervention being medication-access coordination (15%), followed by therapy selection (11%). Interventions for non-HSSP patients made up 19% of the total time. During the study, interventions associated with inflammatory diseases led to the highest cost savings of $179,074.
The authors concluded, “Building on previous studies, this study highlights the role of the SP in SRx management and cost savings amongst many specialties, including both HSSP and external enrollments. Results support further development of SP-driven practice changes, especially in areas of SRx access and therapy selection.”
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